Review: Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Title: Shadowlands
Author: Kate Brian
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary, Mystery
Release date: January 8th, 2013
Pages: 336 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived… and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye. 

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children, but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

When Rory escapes a dangerous situation, she finds out that the man who attacked her has never failed to kill anyone before.  Her family is forced to move to a new destination, at least until Steven Nell is caught, and the worst thing is that Rory will never know if he's just around the corner or not.  Shadowlands is filled with heart-pounding suspense that will keep you on your toes the entire way through.

The author definitely knows how to create a story that will leave you turning the pages for more.  The writing kept you hanging on and the situation that the characters were put in was so interesting, you couldn't help but want to read the book in one sitting.  When Rory moves to her new home, she can't help but notice that a few things are off.  She can't connect to the internet, there's no cellphone signal, and no one seems to have heard of Steven Nell on this island, even though everyone's eyes seem to be on her.  It's a fresh new start, at least until the disappearances begin.

Nothing in this story is predictable in the least.  I'd make predictions depending on what happened, but every time I couldn't be more wrong.  If you enjoy stories that will keep you guessing until the very last page (literally), this is the book for you.  The best part about all of the twists and turns is that everything became clear by the end.  Nothing was left unexplained, and that is why Shadowlands is at the top of my favorite mysteries list.

The characters are realistic, suspicious and absolutely perfect for this story.  It's been a few days since completing the book and I still can't stop thinking about the surprises that the author revealed along the way. Shadowlands will give you chills and leave you speechless.  It's the perfect start to a series, and I can't wait to find out what Kate Brian will come up with next!